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Three Ozark Countians graduate from Missouri State University Dec. 15

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 5:21pmadmin

Three Ozark Countians were among the 1,505 students who received degrees during Missouri State University’s fall 2017 commencement on Dec. 15, 2017, at JQH Arena in Springfield.

The Ozark Countians who graduated are Kandi Jo Shelton of Bakersfield, Bachelor of Science; Tara Layne Land of Dora, Bachelor of Science in education; and Shelly Ann Hillhouse of Gainesville, Master of Business Administration.

Shelby Kinsey and her boyfriend Bailey Elliott pause for a quick photo with children who were able to live in a new home thanks to building efforts by volunteers with Project H.O.P.E. Shelby met Bailey, who stays in Nicaragua as a missionary for the majority of the year, during a recent mission trip. He surprised her on Sunday, March 11, when he walked into Texas Roadhouse In Springfield, where she was celebrating her 17th birthday by having dinner there with her parents, Gary and Heather Kinsey.

After last spring’s monumental flood washed away the gravel boat ramp and much of the bank at Cook’s Landing on Bryant Creek, the Missouri Department of Conservation brought in boulders so drivers wouldn’t accidentally drive off the badly eroded creek bank.

It’s believed Sunday night’s fire started in the kitchen area of the Millers’ manufactured home, but no specific origin has been determined. Four dogs perished in the fire. Gainesville firefighter Sage McGinnis saved a fifth dog from the blaze, but another pet, a basset hound, is missing.